Families across the UK are seeing their energy bills rise at eye-watering rates - but there are ways to lower your costs.
Energy bills are predicted to rise by 50% to an average of £2,000 a year when the current price cap is raised in April.
The price cap sets a limit on the rates a supplier can charge for each unit of gas and electricity you use.
It is reviewed twice a year and the cap is currently set at £1,277 for those on a standard variable tariff after last being revised in August 2021.
The huge hike being predicted is down to wholesale prices being pushed higher, due to global demand for gas and electricity after the Covid pandemic.
As well as increasing bills for families, the rising cost of energy has seen more than 20 suppliers go bust since September 2021.
If you’re worried about rising energy bills, a simple trick such as turning your thermostat down by just one degree could add up to huge savings.
How much money you save by turning your thermostat down
Energy experts at uSwitch suggest turning down your thermostat by just one degree could save you £80 each year on your heating bill.
Research from the comparison site, first published in November, found two-thirds – or 17.7 million – of households are turning up their thermostats to more than 20°C.
A further 2.7 million households are turning up the heat to 25°C or more.
Sarah Broomfield, Energy Expert at uSwitch said: “With temperatures falling, many of us have already turned our heating on but it’s amazing to think that an estimated two million homes are currently hotter than Tenerife.
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“While it is important to stay warm over the winter and older people especially should keep their heating on to look after their health, higher temperatures are one of the biggest contributors to higher energy bills and carbon emissions.
“Anyone who is worried about paying their energy bills this winter should contact their energy supplier, who can offer advice and support.
“Some people may be eligible for free insulation grants to help them pay for home improvements that will keep costs down longer term.“
The fundamental way to lower your energy bills is to lower your energy consumption.
By turning on your heater less, you're using less power - and your bills will be lower as a result.
One way to keep more warmth in your home, reducing your need to reach to the thermostat, is to buy draught excluders that cost less than £3.
We've also previously written about specialist radiator foil that reflects heat around your home.
It is simple to install as you just cut it into place and stick it behind an external wall radiator.
We found a roll that measures 500mm by 1.2 metres on sale being sold online at Toolstation for £1.49.
Some people say you can also use regular tin foil behind your radiator but energy experts say there isn't enough evidence out there to say how effective this is.
You can also ensure you're getting the most from your central heating by bleeding your radiators.
Bleeding your radiator essentially involves getting rid of trapped air inside that causes warm water to stop circulating around your radiator.
To do this, you need a radiator key - which can be found at your nearest DIY store - and a cloth or rag.
